title: Predictors of positive sentinel lymph node in thin melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of thin melanoma (Breslow thickness <1.0 mm) may include sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB). The validity of SLNB for thin melanoma remains widely debated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate pathologic factors that are predictive of SLN positivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of a prospective database revealed 1,199 patients diagnosed with primary cutaneous melanoma. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine an association between pathologic factors and SLN positivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thin melanomas were identified in 469 patients (39%). Of these, 147 patients (31%) underwent SLNB. Positive SLNs were found in 16 patients (11%). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that both ulceration (odds ratio, 5.27; P = .047) and thickness (odds ratio, 46.69; P = .022) were associated with SLN positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with thin melanomas >.75 mm and/or ulceration should be considered for SLNB.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
authors.forename: David V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Yonick
authors.forename: Rana M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ballo
authors.forename: Estelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahiya
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godellas
authors.forename: Margo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shoup
authors.forename: Gerard V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Aranha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery